DYSMENORRHOEA: PAINFUL PERIODS

Most women have some pain during periods. The pain is often mild, but in about 1 in 10 women the pain is severe enough to affect day-to-day activities. The pain can be so severe that they are unable to go to school or work. In medical terms, period pain is called dysmenorrhoea.

About Dysmenorrhoea
 
There are two types of dysmenorrhoea:

• Primary dysmenorrhoea, is the more common type of painful periods, where the pain isn't caused by a specific condition. It's most common in the first few years after your periods start. Primary dysmenorrhoea can affect up to nine out of 10 women. For most women, the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhoea get better as they get older, or after they have children.
• Secondary dysmenorrhoea is pain caused by a specific condition, such as endometriosis (where cells like the ones found in the womb lining grow on organs outside the womb and go through the same monthly changes) or fibroids(non-cancerous growths of the womb). It usually affects women between the ages of 30 and 45.

Symptoms of Dysmenorrhoea

The most common symptoms of dysmenorrhoea are cramps or pain in your pelvis or lower part of your tummy. These can happen either before or during the first few days of your period. You may also have pain in your back or thighs. Other symptoms of dysmenorrhoea can include:

• tiredness
• feeling sick or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• backache
• headache or migraine
• bloating
• mood changes

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 Diagnosis of Dysmenorrhoea

Your GP will ask about your symptoms and may also ask you about your medical history and how your dysmenorrhoea is affecting your day-to-day life. Then your GP will examine your abdomen and pelvis.

What are the treatment options for primary dysmenorrhoea?

For the purposes of this website, we are concentrating only on the treatment for primary dysmenorrhoea.

Most women with painful periods have mild pain that they can treat themselves at home. However, if your pain becomes more severe and is interfering with your usual activities, you should see your doctor.

The common forms of medicines prescribed by your GP may be a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as mefenamic acid, ibuprofen. Taking NSAIDs will help to reduce the amount of pain you have during your period. If you are unable to take NSAIDs, for example if you have ever had a stomach or duodenal ulcer, your GP may suggest you try paracetamol.

Self help

• Warmth: you may find it soothing to hold a hot water bottle against your lower abdomen. This may be all that you need. (Be careful not to burn yourself with a hot water bottle which is too hot.) A warm bath or shower may also help.
• A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine: this can be an option for women who do not like to use medication. These machines give out a small electrical current. They work by interfering with pain signals which are sent to the brain from the nerves. You can buy a TENS machine, very easily online or you’re your local chemist etc.
• Complementary therapy treatments: However there is insufficient evidence so far to support the use of other treatments for painful periods. For example, herbal and dietary supplements, acupuncture, exercise and spinal manipulation. Some small studies have shown that some of these treatments may help but overall, the effectiveness of these treatments is not clear. More studies are needed to help decide if these treatments are helpful or not for painful periods.
  
• Massage: light circular massage around your lower abdomen may help to reduce pain.
  
• Relaxation techniques: you might want to try a relaxing activity, such as yoga or Pilates, to help distract you from feelings of pain and discomfort.
  

Also see:-
 Menopause symptoms
 Treatment for menopause

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